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Umatilla National Forest › Heppner Ranger District › Oregon
› Morrow County
› Heppner
› Ditch Creek Guard Station Cabin
› Campsite #1
Campsite #1 at Ditch Creek Guard Station Cabin, OR
$50
Cabin Site #1
| 6 people | |
| 6 | poor |
7/2
7/17
Campsite #1 Features: Back-In parking, Cabin Site, Pets Allowed
Campsite Reviews (22)
4.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 36% |
| 4 star | | 50% |
| 3 star | | 5% |
| 2 star | | 5% |
| 1 star | | 5% |
@BeckyD6F83DB91 · Camped on Jun 18, 2025 at Campsite #1
Wonderful cabin. Checked out Bull Prairie Reservoir and Penland Lake. Explored many back roads amd walked along some closed roads. It was very nice to have e a propane cooking stove and refrigerator. The water system was down, but we filled up containers with water from the spring up the road. We could not figure out how to get the heating stove to light, so we lit all the propane lights and they put off some heat and warmed thecabin!
@LindsayR751458 · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #1
Loved the solitude of the cabin. It is very rustic, which enhances the old-time feel of the area. The little pond had little fish in it, providing hours of fun for catch and release fishing. The off-shoot gravel road that abuts the property is a dead end at about a mile and is great for walking without worrying about vehicles. Cabin was stocked with all necessary dishes and utensils, was able to still use the toilet even without running water (manually add water to tank), propane fireplace kept the place warm when it snowed (in June!), beds were comfortable, and still received radio reception (no cell service). Penland lake is about a 10 minute drive away. Just an overall quaint, quiet, simple place for getting away and enjoying the forest.
@MichelleO16754 · Camped on Jun 10, 2024 at Campsite #1
We absolutely love this cabin and will definitely go again.I would recommend bringing some bug spray if you plan on sitting outside. There are lots of flies, wasps, and mosquitoes.This is such a beautiful place rich with history and nature. Would definitely recommend!
@DrannanH87840B · Camped on May 22, 2023 at Campsite #1
1. There are large beautiful meadows, several, within walking distance of the cabin..
@TimM9090024 · Camped on Aug 1, 2022 at Campsite #1
A very nice location but it was supposed to have drinking water, toilet, shower, and a kitchen sink, but I had none of that on my last two days. Somewhat of an inconvenience.
@MichaelP381919 · Camped on Jul 25, 2022 at Campsite #1
This wasn't my first time at the GS, and won't be my last. Ditch Creek GS is a great place to kick back and relax. Not much to do there, unless you have, heaven forbid, an atv. Great pond for swimming (at least my dog loves it).
@RonI5252774 · Camped on Jul 15, 2022 at Campsite #1
We have stayed at this cabin for several years. The carpenter ants are still around, but not as bad as past years. Having running water back was really nice. Real hassle running up to the spring to get water like we had to do last year. Having a fold out bed instead of the old futon was a blessing. Need ladders for the top bunks as getting up and down is difficult. There were not kitchen eating knives in the utensil drawer this time. Don't know why someone would take those. A curtains would be nice on the windows. We found that the moon shining in was like have a street light outside of the cabin. Suggest you bring a towel or two to use as temp curtains and a few clothes pins as there are not many up there to hold them in place. Overall, a very nice stay. Also suggest bringing an alternate light source as the wall gas lamps do not provide much light for reading or playing games. The carbon monoxide alarm was going dead and needed new batteries which we did not have so consider replacing those. It was just lying around as someone must have removed it from its original location.
@KarenM8822647 · Camped on Jun 20, 2022 at Campsite #1
Cabin was really dirty upon. arrival. I emptied at least 5 dustpans sweeping it out. Spent an hour cleaning while my spouse drove to the campground for water to flush toilets. We rented this for the running water and propane appliances. Disappointed that there was no water, but the campground host up the road states it is a regular occurrence over the past few years. We were warned a few days prior to arrival, but wouldn't have rented if we'd known this wouldn't have water. The shower obviously hadn't been used in quite some time (years?). Lots of bird activity, so that was nice. We did enjoy the solitude.
@JeffD9403272 · Camped on Nov 18, 2021 at Campsite #1
Very fun and neat old cabin. Beautiful scenery surrounding. The staff had the place well stocked with why we needed including water since it was shut off In late November when we were there. Would definitely come back
@JeffD677 · Camped on Nov 18, 2021 at Campsite #1
Very fun and neat old cabin. Beautiful scenery surrounding. The staff had the place well stocked with why we needed including water since it was shut off In late November when we were there. Would definitely come back
@ElizabethB248 · Camped on Jun 14, 2021 at Campsite #1
Excellent. Had the best time. Kitchen is stocked well, and nice to have a stove and refrigerator.
The surrounding area and the near by lake were great.
Can't wait to come back.
New fridge and pull out couch makes it very comfortable.
The surrounding area and the near by lake were great.
Can't wait to come back.
New fridge and pull out couch makes it very comfortable.
@ElizabethB5852 · Camped on Jun 14, 2021 at Campsite #1
Excellent. Had the best time. Kitchen is stocked well, and nice to have a stove and refrigerator.
The surrounding area and the near by lake were great.
Can't wait to come back.
New fridge and pull out couch makes it very comfortable.
The surrounding area and the near by lake were great.
Can't wait to come back.
New fridge and pull out couch makes it very comfortable.
@RichardM509620 · Camped on May 31, 2021 at Campsite #1
Small cozy cabin in shaded area away from the dusty road. Kitchen is well stocked with cooking gear. All appliances work well. Three miles from Lake Penland. The hide-a-bed couch is a typical uncomfortable hide-a-bed bed! We will return, but please repair the running water problem.
@RichardM440 · Camped on May 31, 2021 at Campsite #1
Small cozy cabin in shaded area away from the dusty road. Kitchen is well stocked with cooking gear. All appliances work well. Three miles from Lake Penland. The hide-a-bed couch is a typical uncomfortable hide-a-bed bed! We will return, but please repair the running water problem.
@LanceB715 · Camped on Nov 1, 2019 at Campsite #1
Four of us spent a week at the cabin during the first part of November 2019. The cabin was warm and comfortable for all of us. We planned ahead and brought water for drinking as well as toilet flushing as the water is shut off this time of year.
We brought plenty of cooking supplies as we weren't sure what was available. There were several cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and silverware but we brought our own just in case. Lots of hiking in the area on marked trails. Fishing is available at Penland Lake. Great family experience. We look forward to staying in the cabin again.
If you use the propane oven just be aware that it runs very hot! Tough to regulate the temperature but still able to be used if you keep track of the temperature.
We brought plenty of cooking supplies as we weren't sure what was available. There were several cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and silverware but we brought our own just in case. Lots of hiking in the area on marked trails. Fishing is available at Penland Lake. Great family experience. We look forward to staying in the cabin again.
If you use the propane oven just be aware that it runs very hot! Tough to regulate the temperature but still able to be used if you keep track of the temperature.
@LanceB4627476 · Camped on Nov 1, 2019 at Campsite #1
Four of us spent a week at the cabin during the first part of November 2019. The cabin was warm and comfortable for all of us. We planned ahead and brought water for drinking as well as toilet flushing as the water is shut off this time of year.
We brought plenty of cooking supplies as we weren't sure what was available. There were several cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and silverware but we brought our own just in case. Lots of hiking in the area on marked trails. Fishing is available at Penland Lake. Great family experience. We look forward to staying in the cabin again.
If you use the propane oven just be aware that it runs very hot! Tough to regulate the temperature but still able to be used if you keep track of the temperature.
We brought plenty of cooking supplies as we weren't sure what was available. There were several cooking utensils, dishes, cutlery and silverware but we brought our own just in case. Lots of hiking in the area on marked trails. Fishing is available at Penland Lake. Great family experience. We look forward to staying in the cabin again.
If you use the propane oven just be aware that it runs very hot! Tough to regulate the temperature but still able to be used if you keep track of the temperature.
@ChrisS8694045 · Camped on Oct 28, 2019 at Campsite #1
I went late in the season (10-28-2019) and had some nice hikes around the cabin and surrounding area. Everything in the cabin worked fine though heater may have difficulty if it gets real cold (was in teens when I was there) and it only heats living room (which has a futon for sleeping). Note: water is only supplied through 10-1 (I believe) and fortunately I didn't trust the local NFS office when they said running water would be there when I was there (fortunately I brought my own). There is water for the indoor toilet 100 yards up the road which didn't freeze (but I wouldn't drink it without purifying it). It's a fine cabin with a good road into it and a number of hikes within easy driving to the trailheads.
I enjoyed the hike to Little Bald Mtn. but didn't get to do any fishing (too cold). Lake Penland looks like it's worth a try, just a couple of miles drive from the cabin.
I enjoyed the hike to Little Bald Mtn. but didn't get to do any fishing (too cold). Lake Penland looks like it's worth a try, just a couple of miles drive from the cabin.
@ChrisS193 · Camped on Oct 28, 2019 at Campsite #1
I went late in the season (10-28-2019) and had some nice hikes around the cabin and surrounding area. Everything in the cabin worked fine though heater may have difficulty if it gets real cold (was in teens when I was there) and it only heats living room (which has a futon for sleeping). Note: water is only supplied through 10-1 (I believe) and fortunately I didn't trust the local NFS office when they said running water would be there when I was there (fortunately I brought my own). There is water for the indoor toilet 100 yards up the road which didn't freeze (but I wouldn't drink it without purifying it). It's a fine cabin with a good road into it and a number of hikes within easy driving to the trailheads.
I enjoyed the hike to Little Bald Mtn. but didn't get to do any fishing (too cold). Lake Penland looks like it's worth a try, just a couple of miles drive from the cabin.
I enjoyed the hike to Little Bald Mtn. but didn't get to do any fishing (too cold). Lake Penland looks like it's worth a try, just a couple of miles drive from the cabin.
@GailH618 · Camped on Sep 18, 2019 at Campsite #1
I'm happy with everything, I always have a great experience.
@GailH2690077 · Camped on Sep 18, 2019 at Campsite #1
I'm happy with everything, I always have a great experience.
@ColleenG720 · Camped on Aug 5, 2019 at Campsite #1
Had a great time!
@TobinF653 · Camped on Jul 3, 2019 at Campsite #1
Cabin DID NOT have running water so consequently there was no bathroom, shower or hot water. Refrigerator did not work. Since there was no water it had not been cleaned, dishes were not washed, place was a mess. Carpenter ants are destroying the cabin, sawdust from their chewing everywhere. I definitely would not recommend renting this cabin!
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